Athabasca University
Critical Review of “Shootings” by Adam Gopnik
Assignment 4A
PHIL 152 - Basics in Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing
Lily
... [Show More] Li
April 18th, 2021
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(30) 1. Use one of the two active reading methods to read the essay for this assignment. Submit
all your notes. For those steps usually done “in your head” (such as recite), note briefly
what you did in the step. If you use a Reading Inventory, when you reach Rereading, only
answer the first three questions listed in Reader’s Choice, page 41. State the author’s
purpose and main idea.
(30) 2. Complete two outlines for a Critical Review essay (Log Entry 38) that you will write on the
article that you have chosen. The first outline must provide a guideline for writing an
accurate summary of the author’s argument(s). Log Entries 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 32, and 33 will be particularly useful for completing the first part of the outline as you
should identify the parts of the argument, assumptions, and the specific kind of
argument that is presented.
The second outline will provide a guideline for writing a critical evaluation of the
argument(s) in the article by applying the standards of evaluation you have learned in
Part B of the course. The following Log Entries will be useful when developing your
critical evaluation in this second part of the outline: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,
and 37 and 38. Note: Be certain to employ proper MLA referencing in each outline.
(40) 3. Using the proper essay format for a Critical Review essay (Log Entry 38) and the outline
you completed in 2, complete a rough draf (approximately 1000-1250 words) of a
critical review essay of the article that you have chosen. Although you will be producing a
rough draf only at this stage, include proper referencing for any paraphrased material
and direct quotations you use to ensure that you understand how to do this for
Assignment 4b. This rough draft will form the basis for Assignment 4b, which is the
polished final version of the draft you have produced here — do not submit your final
essay for Assignment 4a. As a rough draft, it will require further review, revision, and
editing before it is ready to submit as a polished final version. Since this is a rough draft,
the General Grading Matrix will only be very loosely applied, and some errors are
expected.
(100)
1. Reading Method:
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I have chosen the “Reading Inventory Method” to help actively read the essay “Shootings” by
Adam Gopnik of Chapter 9 from Reader’s Choice, pages 457 to 460.
Preparing to Read:
The title “Shootings” makes me think this is a serious essay written about a tragedy.
Shootings are typically associated with violence, and tragedies with victims involved.
Past shootings, regardless of the size, allows us to see the large negative impact they have
on victim's family, other loved ones and members of their community.
The authors use of just a single word, shows that this essay revolves around this concept
and needs to be taken seriously.
I believe this essay’s target audience is the general public, as shootings can happen at any
time or place, and can involve anyone. However, it could also target marginalized groups
of people who more often victims of violence.
I believe the purpose of this essay is to discuss why shootings occur. This is done through
the discussion of why weapons are easily accessible, why Americans believe weapons are
‘safe’ for self-dense, and how one can lower rates of shooting in America. The essay also
examines other factors such as one’s mental state, social life and underlying racial views
and biases.
The purpose of this essay is to persuade the reader that guns should be banned.
Synopsis:
The general subject of the essay is a discussion regarding gun laws in the U.S. and how
shootings continue to occur because no changes have been made to create stricter gun
laws.
Gopnik refers to other countries that faced similar issues and were successful in changing
their gun laws in ways that have effectively lowered and prevented large shooting
massacres rates.
Gopnik uses an emotional approach by opening the essay with a powerful sentence, “the
cell phones in the pockets of dead students were still ringing when we were told that it
was wrong to ask why”. As the first sentence in the essay, it paints a picture of the victims
who were affected by the act of the shooting, as it describes the feeling on not knowing
what their last moments on campus would be and not having the chance to say goodbye
to their loved ones. It grasps the reader’s attention, causing them to feel both sadness and
anger for tragic event that has occurred once again in the U.S. What’s the author’s
approach after the opening of the essay?
Biography:
Adam Gopnik grew up in Montreal.
He has a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) from McGill and an M.A (Master of Arts) from Institute
of Fine Arts in N.Y.
He has been writing for The New Yorker since 1986.
He is the author of several books, including children's books [Show Less]